New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, was U.S. attorney before he ran for the job. / Mel Evans, AP

by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is heading to Dallas for the dedication of George W. Bush's presidential library.

Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said in an e-mail that the Republican governor plans to travel Wednesday afternoon to be on hand for Thursday's dedication of the Bush center at Southern Methodist University.

Christie was a top Bush fundraiser in 2000 and was appointed U.S. attorney by the president in 2001.

Presidential library dedications are a big-deal event, drawing on many boldface political names from that administration. Another elite group is typically in attendance, and that would be the President's Club. President Obama and all of the living ex-presidents - Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton - will be on hand for the ceremony.